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- Exciting news: System Review to be held during Academic Year 2026/27
The HEAT System Review will begin Autumn 2026 with events held throughout the year, offering all users the opportunity to shape the service for the decade ahead
We are pleased to share review plans that will allow everyone to contribute to shaping a new HEAT system. The review will take place over one year, with each of its four stages feeding into the next, culminating in an agreed rebuild specification.
What will the review involve?
The review will focus upon everyone’s journey through HEAT, looking at what each user needs to achieve workstream goals. We will explore how HEAT is currently used for all aspects of evaluation, from the planning stage to analysing impact, with a view to simplifying and improving what we offer and ensuring it is fit for purpose. We will do this by:
- Listening to the requirements of our varying member-base to understand need. We want to hear from the inputters, extractors, evaluators, and strategists; we encourage anyone who uses HEAT to get involved.
- Focusing upon specific areas where understanding requirement is crucial. A great example here is the Activity record and what improvements can be made so it works for everyone.
- Identifying future requirements to build a system that fits in with your future work plans. This could be sharing and collaborating, systems talking, or rolling HEAT out to other teams within each member organisation.
Who can contribute to the review?
We are interested to hear from anyone that uses the service and system in any capacity. Throughout the year, there will be a variety of opportunities to get involved. We are planning a two-pronged approach:
- Server-side specification: Topics to cover here include single-sign-on, easy fixing of mistakes, simple navigation, and robust record management. Applying the latest tools and functionality will allow us to readily address these important areas as part of the rebuild. Feedback from the membership is welcome here but we won’t be holding specific workshops on the items covered.
- Customer-oriented design: These are the deep dives where we will be inviting HEAT users to take part and have a direct say on what the new system should encompass. A series of focus groups will be planned where we invite you to look at what we’re proposing. We will be ready for feedback, which will contribute to the decision-making process.
Whether you’re someone who logs in every day or once a month, a power-user or a bit more casual, there will be lots of opportunity to directly contribute into shaping what the future HEAT system should look like.
What’s next?
Stage 1 will take place throughout the autumn, with the System Review Panel and the HEAT Team working closely with the developers to build the review foundation. This will be taken to the working groups throughout Stage 2, with focus groups planned for Stage 3 where all users will be invited.
Throughout the review and rebuild, we will have a dedicated webpage keeping everyone up-to-date with progress. We’re working on this now, do keep an eye out for the launch in future updates. In the meantime, do get in touch with HEAT Support if you have any questions.
We look forward to working with you all throughout the year ahead. This is everyone’s chance to have a say on how to set up HEAT for success in the years ahead.
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